First Year Students

Conformity and Rebellion: In the Belly of a Free Society

Simpson Colloquium SC 101  J  -  Conformity and Rebellion: In the Belly of a Free Society
M W F  10:20AM - 11:20PM

Are you a bomb-thrower or a suck-up? Don’t like those choices? This course might help you to re-phrase the question. Conformity and rebellion are not polar opposites: we sometimes conform thinking we are rebelling, and vice-versa. Arguably, a free community demands some level of both conformity and rebellion. But what level? When should we conform, and when rebel? How much tolerance should we grant other people’s rebellion (or conformity)? This course asks you to think deeply about conformity and rebellion in the context of case studies from different cultures and historical eras. Buckle-up: we will take a close look at war, rape, genocide… and school.

Meet Your ProfessorMark Freyberg
Mark Freyberg, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology

I come from a most conservative place. Appleton, WI was the birthplace of Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the center of his political base; it now is the international headquarters of the John Birch Society. I remember it fondly, but not for its politics. In the 1960s and 70s, all the working-class kids assumed we would end-up in the paper factories. While America heaved and twisted under protest and reaction, I begged my parents to move the family to Madison. I did finally leave Appleton, but my ticket out was a tour in the U.S. Navy: it seemed the only way I could obtain the money I needed to go to college.

The Navy, of course, changed me. I visited South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle-East. I pushed-away shoeless beggars, then returned home to supermarkets with 70 brands of breakfast cereal. And then I noticed the lines of early-risers gathered in Jacksonville to sell their blood plasma for $15, and noted how much they resembled the beggars overseas. I’m too selfish to be called a humanitarian, but I knew something needed to change.

I studied international development at UW-Green Bay, then social change at the U. Michigan. What I learned is that fiery leaders and radical policies and new technology can bring change, but the nature of that change will depend on how large masses of ordinary people understand and react to their everyday world. Hence a course in conformity and rebellion: it all starts with us. You want to be free? Free your neighbor. 

Meet Your Destination LeaderD.J. Henry
D.J. Henry

Hello!

My name is D.J. Henry and I will be your Destination Leader for the class "Conformity and Rebellion: In the Belly of a Free Society." I was born and raised in the small town of Ridgeway,Iowa. I come from a family of five, with an older brother and a younger sister. In high school, I was involved in National Honor Society, Key Club, JEL, and various volunteer activities.

I came to Simpson because of the college's strong sense of community and the many volunteer opportunities. Simpson is located about three and a half hours from my hometown, so I spend many weekends on campus and have no trouble finding new things to do with friends. In my free time I attend Simpson's BINGO, watch movies with friends, and meet new people. I am involved in the Wesley Service Scholar Program, Omicron Delta Kappa, the President Leadership Certificate, Hawley Tutoring Services, and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

I will be a senior in the fall with a Biochemistry major. I am not positive as to what I want to do after college, but I am planning to attend graduate school and might work in research laboratories in the future.

I cannot wait to meet all of you at Simpson during orientation! I hope you all enjoy your first year in college as much as I did, and I am ready to help you as you transition to college. See you soon! 

Meet Your Writing FellowJenny Hock
Jenny Hock

Hi! My name is Jenny Hock and I will be your Writing Fellow for the class "Conformity and Rebellion: In the Belly of a Free Society." I was born in Des Moines and have lived there my whole life. However, I didn’t attend school in Des Moines; I was bussed out to a small nearby town called Carlisle. I come from a smaller family of four, with my only sibling being my sister. In high school I was involved in many activities from JEL to NHS.

I came to Simpson, not only because was it closer to home, but also because the smaller campus size. These were things that were really appealing to me. I also greatly enjoy the class sizes here compared to larger schools. I have a part time job on top of school, and so it is nice that Simpson is so close. I am involved in the Greek community and am a member of Pi Beta Phi women’s fraternity. Last year, I studied abroad for a semester in London and loved it.  It was an opportunity that I am thankful for. Simpson has been a great school for me for a lot of reasons as I’m sure you will find out for yourself in this coming year.

I will be a senior in the fall with a Sociology major and a History minor. I am not sure what I am going to do after graduation yet though.

I cannot wait to meet all of you at Simpson! See you soon! 

Last Updated: 5/16/12